Advocate staff photo by HILARY SCHEINUK -- A pair of newly implemented Line 15 Garden District Trolleys drive down Broussard towards the stop at S. Eugene, Monday, Jan. 5, in Baton Rouge. The new route provides services linking the Garden District with the Central Business District, Perkins Overpass and Acadian Village retail areas.

Garden District trolley gets rolling

Additional routes offer new options for fun, commuting

Advocate staff photo by HILARY SCHEINUK -- A pair of newly implemented Line 15 Garden District Trolleys drive down Broussard towards the stop at S. Eugene, Monday, Jan. 5, in Baton Rouge. The new route provides services linking the Garden District with the Central Business District, Perkins Overpass and Acadian Village retail areas.

The Capital Area Transit System’s Garden District trolley rolled for the first time Monday, looping between downtown and the tree-lined neighborhood as the bus system tries to attract new riders.

CATS Chief Executive Officer Bob Mirabito envisioned the trolley as a way for some to commute downtown and for others to dine and shop around Perkins Road, Southdowns and downtown. People in the Garden District have seen the signs go up and are excited to use the trolley for both work and play, said Eric Troutman, Garden District Civic Association president.

The trolley runs every half hour from 6 a.m. to 9 a.m. and again from 3 p.m. until its last stop right before 10 p.m. on weekdays. Riders can hop on and off from 7 a.m. to the last drop off at 9:55 p.m. on Saturdays, when the trolley will run hourly. The Garden District trolley will not run on Sundays.

It will run from the Baton Rouge River Center to Park Boulevard and Government Street, then stop at City Park, Eugene Street and Broussard Street and Marigold Avenue and Stanford Avenue.

Mirabito said he did not expect the first day to indicate how successful the trolley will be, but he has heard excitement and interest from people living in the Garden District. He is hoping people will crowd onto the trolley cars come Friday, when the Arts Council of Greater Baton Rouge hosts its street party Laurel Street Palooza.

Mirabito held public input meetings in the fall for people who might ride the trolley or be affected by it sweeping through their streets. Troutman attended all of them and said the reaction was mostly positive.

Mirabito said Garden District residents were upset when the plans were delayed, and he is interested in watching to see if the trolley is well-received during its first few days.

“There are several of our neighbors who already carpool or bike downtown to work so I know they’re interested in using the trolley to get them back and forth,” Troutman said.

In Troutman’s mind, the trolley is also a way to attract more residents to the Garden District. The neighborhood is already one of Baton Rouge’s most bike-friendly and pedestrian-friendly areas.

Still, Baton Rouge continues to be a sprawling city where driving is most people’s first option and public transportation often carries a negative connotation. When the trolley and other routes were first announced, Troutman predicted that many would have to shift their way of thinking to warm up to the idea.

He said many people now plan to give it a try.

“We’re excited for the potential of it,” Troutman said.

Success! An email has been sent with a link to confirm list signup.

Error! There was an error processing your request.

Baton Rouge Breaking News

Stay in the know about Baton Rouge's biggest news headlines. Sign up today for our newsletter!